Betalain Supplement for Exercise Performance and Recovery

(BET_RSE Trial)

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Drexel University

Must not be taking: Anti-inflammatories, Antibiotics, Anti-hypertensives, others

Disqualifiers: Musculoskeletal injuries, Hypertension, Asthma, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

10 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines whether a betalain-rich supplement, AltRed, can enhance exercise performance and recovery. Betalains are natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The study aims to determine if a single dose can improve repeated-sprint cycling performance. Participants will receive either the supplement or a placebo for comparison. The trial seeks healthy, recreationally active individuals without major health issues or recent injuries. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research on natural supplements and exercise performance.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, you will need to stop taking any medications that could affect the study results, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and digestive system medicines.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this treatment is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that betalain-rich concentrate (BRC) is generally safe for use. Studies have found that this supplement, often used to enhance exercise performance and recovery, is well-tolerated. In trials with athletes, BRC improved performance and recovery without causing major side effects. However, like any supplement, some individuals might experience mild reactions. Overall, existing evidence suggests BRC is safe to take, but consulting a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement is always advisable. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatment?

AltRed is unique because it uses betalains, which are natural pigments found in beets, to potentially enhance exercise performance and recovery. Unlike standard treatments that may rely on synthetic enhancers or stimulants, AltRed offers a plant-based option that could reduce muscle soreness and improve endurance naturally. Researchers are excited about AltRed because it targets inflammation and oxidative stress, key factors in exercise recovery, with a novel approach that could offer a gentler and safer alternative to traditional supplements.

What evidence suggests that this treatment might be an effective treatment for exercise performance and recovery?

This trial will compare the effects of a betalain-rich concentrate (BRC) with a placebo. Research has shown that BRC can enhance exercise performance and accelerate recovery. Specifically, studies have found that BRC can lower heart rates by 3% and make exercise feel 15% easier, potentially reducing fatigue and improving performance for athletes. Additional research indicates that BRC can decrease inflammation in the body, aiding faster recovery after workouts. Overall, early evidence suggests that a single dose of BRC could be a valuable aid for athletes seeking to boost performance and recovery. ^{3 5 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals interested in the potential performance and recovery benefits of a supplement. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, so it's unclear who exactly can participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I will undergo a screening to check if I'm ready for physical activity and to review my medications and activity level.

Exclusion Criteria

I am not on medication that could affect the study's results.

I do not have any injuries that could worsen by joining this study.

I have a chronic condition like hypertension, asthma, heart disease, or diabetes.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Familiarization

Participants perform the repeated-sprint exercise protocol and countermovement jump to become acquainted with the exercises. Baseline characteristics are obtained.

1 visit

1 visit (in-person)

Testing

Participants undergo two testing sessions where they receive either the treatment or placebo, perform the exercise protocol, and have various performance and physiological measures recorded.

2 visits

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any delayed effects or adverse reactions post-testing.

1-2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• AltRed

Trial Overview The study is testing whether a single dose of a betalain-rich concentrate (BRC), known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, can improve repeated-sprint cycling performance and recovery compared to a placebo.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Betalain-rich Concentrate Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A single dose of a BRC supplementation

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

A single dose of a placebo

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Drexel University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

160

Recruited

48,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A betalain-rich concentrate (BRC) from red beets improved performance in competitive male runners, resulting in faster 5-km time trial times and lower perceived exertion during exercise.

BRC supplementation also led to lower blood lactate levels and reduced markers of muscle damage, suggesting it may help in recovery and performance enhancement without increasing muscle soreness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Betalain-Rich Concentrate Supplementation Improves Exercise Performance in Competitive Runners. Van Hoorebeke, JS., Trias, CO., Davis, BA., et al.[2020]

In a study involving 28 New Zealand rabbits, solutions containing lutein and zeaxanthin, both alone and with brilliant blue (BB), demonstrated a good safety profile with no significant adverse effects observed in retinal function or structure.

Electroretinography and microscopy analyses showed no significant differences in retinal responses or abnormalities compared to the control group, indicating that these dye solutions are safe for potential use in ocular applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lutein and zeaxanthin toxicity with and without brilliant blue in rabbits. Furlani, BA., Barroso, L., Sousa-Martins, D., et al.[2016]

A betalain-rich concentrate (BRC) from beetroots significantly improved 10-km running performance in triathletes, with participants completing the distance faster when supplemented with BRC compared to a placebo.

BRC supplementation also enhanced recovery, as indicated by faster 5-km running times 24 hours later and lower levels of muscle damage markers (creatine kinase) and perceived fatigue after exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Betalain-rich concentrate supplementation improves exercise performance and recovery in competitive triathletes. Montenegro, CF., Kwong, DA., Minow, ZA., et al.[2017]

Supplementation with betalain-rich beetroot concentrate (BLN) for 7 days modestly improved cycling performance, specifically increasing average power output during a 30-minute time trial compared to a placebo.

BLN supplementation also enhanced exercise efficiency in the final minutes of the time trial and tended to increase post-exercise blood flow, without significantly affecting blood markers related to inflammation or oxidative stress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of 1-week betalain-rich beetroot concentrate supplementation on cycling performance and select physiological parameters. Mumford, PW., Kephart, WC., Romero, MA., et al.[2019]

The study analyzed ten polyphenol-rich fruit supplements, revealing significant variations in their content of total phenolics and anthocyanins, which are important for exercise performance and recovery.

Consumers can use the detailed compositional data from this study to better optimize their intake of polyphenols, aiming for 300 mg before exercise to enhance performance and 1000 mg daily to aid recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of the polyphenol content and in vitro antioxidant capacity of fruit-based nutritional supplements commonly consumed by athletic and recreationally active populations. Rickards, L., Lynn, A., Barker, ME., et al.[2022]

Beetroot juice, rich in betalains, has been shown to enhance sports endurance and recovery by reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and fatigue, making it a promising natural supplement for athletes.

Betalains improve blood flow and oxygen supply during exercise by increasing nitric oxide availability, suggesting their potential as an effective ergogenic aid for competitive performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Betalains Alleviate Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Fatigue and Improve Sports Performance: an Update on Recent Advancement. Nirmal, S., Olatunde, OO., Medhe, S., et al.[2023]

Tart cherry extract significantly reduced oxidative stress and markers of muscle and cardiac damage after intense resistance exercise, as shown by lower serum protein carbonyl and creatine kinase levels compared to a placebo.

The supplementation also helped maintain handgrip strength post-exercise, suggesting it may reduce central fatigue, all while providing minimal calories.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Broad Spectrum Polyphenol Supplementation from Tart Cherry Extract on Markers of Recovery from Intense Resistance Exercise. Hooper, DR., Orange, T., Gruber, MT., et al.[2021]

A systematic review of 39 studies indicates that anthocyanins (ACN) can significantly enhance exercise recovery by improving strength and reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after physical activity.

ACN consumption leads to increased antioxidant capacity and decreased inflammatory markers, suggesting that their beneficial effects on recovery are likely due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of dietary anthocyanins on biochemical, physiological, and subjective exercise recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Kimble, R., Jones, K., Howatson, G.[2023]

Betalains, derived from plants in the Caryophyllales order, are safe food additives that serve as micronutrients and have demonstrated radical-scavenging activity and low cytotoxicity in various studies.

This review suggests a proposed daily intake of 100 mg of betanin and 50 mg of indicaxanthin for potential health benefits, highlighting the need for more research on their stability and bioavailability in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Plant Betalains: Safety, Antioxidant Activity, Clinical Efficacy, and Bioavailability. Khan, MI.[2020]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5968885/

Betalain-Rich Concentrate Supplementation Improves ... We hypothesized that since a reduction in the inflammatory phase response has been shown to improve exercise performance and hasten recovery [19] ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12227450/

Effects of a single dose of a betalain-rich concentrate on ... This study aimed to examine the effects of a single dose of a betalain-rich concentrate (BRC) on determinants of running performance and recovery lactate ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-nutraceuticals-1-2024-b146c

Betalain Supplement for Exercise Performance and Recovery Recent investigations examining the effects of a betalain-rich concentrate (BRC) on exercise and recovery performance show promise of BRC as an ergogenic aid.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/309167959_Betalain-rich_concentrate_supplementation_improves_exercise_performance_and_recovery_in_competitive_triathletes

Betalain-rich concentrate supplementation improves ... During exercise at the same intensity, BRC resulted in a 3% lower heart rate, a 15% lower rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and a 14% lower ...

5. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/308714/the-effects-of-an-acute-dose-of-a-betalain-rich-concentrate-on-repeated-sprint-cycling-performance-and-recovery/

The Effects of an Acute Dose of a Betalain-rich Concentrate ... Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of an acute dose of BRC on repeated-sprint cycling performance and recovery.

6. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2075-4663/4/3/40

Betalain-Rich Concentrate Supplementation Improves ... We hypothesized that since a reduction in the inflammatory phase response has been shown to improve exercise performance and hasten recovery [19], BRC ...

7. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28121183/

Betalain-rich concentrate supplementation improves ... Betalain-rich concentrate improved 10-km time trial performance and 5-km recovery, and reduced muscle damage and fatigue in triathletes.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924224422000681

Health-promoting potential of betalains in vivo and their ... Betalain-rich concentrate supplementation improves exercise performance and recovery in competitive triathletes. Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ...